Former TRESS Students
Jahdiel Salazar
Jahdiel is a Graduate Student originally from Harlingen, TX who enjoys reading and jogging.
She worked in Dr. Engil Pereira's Soil Ecology Lab during her undergraduate degree at UTRGV. Majoring in Environmental Science, she and Josabeth Navarro worked on promoting sweet potato production and soil biological activities under challenging climatic and edaphic conditions in subtropical semi-arid South Texas.
"TRESS allowed me to present my findings at a National Conference and build networks a
nd relationships I wouldn't have without the program."
Josabeth Navarro
Josabeth is a recent S umma Cum Lade graduate from UTRGV, she has her Bachelors in Environmental Science as well as several certifications and academic achievements/honors. She and Jahdiel Salazar worked in Dr. Pereiras Soil Ecology Lab during their undergraduate degree. Their assignment consisted of on promoting sweet potato production and soil biological activities under challenging climatic and edaphic conditions in subtropical semi-arid South Texas.
"I gained experience with field work and proper laboratory safety skills. Great! I enjoyed working along side a knowledgeable professor like Dr.Pereira. I also had the opportunity to present my research findings at the Soil Science Society of America earlier this year in San Diego. I had never presented research but was happy to represent UTRGV"
- Josabeth Navarro, 2019
Click here to see more information regarding Josabeth's previous and current projects.
Lilly Elliott
A 20 year old Senior that is majoring in Environmental Science, has a concentration in Biology, and a minor in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Originally born in Portland, Oregon and raised in Pharr , TX she commutes to Edinburg, TX where she works in Dr. Engil Pereira's Soil Ecology Laboratory at the UTRGV Edinburg Campus.
Her role consists of making maps on ArcMap displaying data provided by students who also work in Dr. Pereira's Lab. She also helps with extractions of DNA from the soil as well as extractions of nutrients such as Phosphorus and Carbon.
"The TRESS program has created an amazing opportunity to learn how impactful and how necessary soil is in our lives. It has also given me the opportunity to present research at the 2019 American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education [AAHHE] and at UTRGV's College of Science Symposium ."
- Lilly Elliott, 2019